Programs in multiple languages for immigrants include the Immigrant Justice Corps (free and low-cost legal services), cultural programs, citizenship preparation, job and career help, adult literacy classes, and English conversation groups. Serves the Brooklyn, New York area, but programs are free and open to the public. Branch hours and contact information available on the website.
The Accompany Project
Muslims, undocumented immigrants, and others who face potential violence while commuting or traveling alone can request a companion from The Accompany Project, which trains New Yorkers “to disrupt violence – particularly against Arab, Muslim and undocumented residents – and to organize for stronger, safer neighborhoods.” Those wishing to request that someone commute or travel with them can contact the Arab American Association of New York (hours, address, and contact information available on website), which to date has more than 8,000 volunteers for the project. The Accompany Project is also soliciting volunteers to assist with bystander training and organizing sessions around the city.
Legal Aid Society, Immigration Law Unit
Know Your Rights, Executive Actions,Deportation Information
The Legal Aid Society is a nonprofit public interest law firm for low-income families and individuals.
The Society’s Immigration Law Unit provides an emergency plan information factsheet to help communities prepare in case of detention and deportation of a family member. It also offers a factsheet on providing sanctuary to immigrants. An ICE deportation hotline is available at 844-955-3425.
The Immigration Law Unit provides a detailed summary of the Executive Orders issued by President Trump on immigration and related draft orders that have not (yet) been issued. The Unit also offers ongoing workshops and individual immigration assistance, though its attorneys’ have recently emphasized a large backlog of cases following Trump’s election and executive orders.
Factsheets are available in English, Spanish and Chinese (traditional and simplified).
http://www.legal-aid.org/en/civil/civilpractice/newimmigrationbenefits.aspx
Vive Shelter (a Program of Jericho Road)
Vive is a program of Jericho Road Community Health Center, a nonprofit organization with no connection to the U.S. government. Vive provides shelter and assistance to refugees seeking asylum in Canada. The organization assists adults and families who have an anchor relative in Canada, and unaccompanied minors with parental permission but without anchor relatives, in obtaining asylum. Vive schedules appointments and interviews with the Canada Border Services Agency and houses refugees who are waiting for those appointments or interviews.
Vive charges $100 per week, a fee that includes registration, housing, meals, and access to medical care, legal services, and Wi-Fi. For taxi services to and from appointments with Canadian Border services, Vive charges $30 on the day of the appointment or interview.
The website provides a list of suggested documents, contains special information for children, and explains who Canada considers to be an “anchor relative” for purposes of asylum.
Mohawk Valley Resource Center For Refugees
The Mohawk Valley Resource Center for Refugees (MVRCR) assists refugees and immigrants, and individuals with limited English proficiency. MVRCR is partially accredited by the US Department of Justice and thereby authorized to represent clients before US Citizenship and Immigration Services and to complete immigration forms on clients’ behalf. MVRCR provides advocacy, counseling, information, processing, and referrals for citizenship and immigration issues. It has a refugee resettlement program in Utica that has resettled more than 15,000 individuals in the city since 1981.
The organization also provides interpretation and translation services and training in cultural competency (for interactions involving health care, education, government services, and more).
MVRCR seeks to help its clients achieve independence and self-sufficiency.
CUNY Citizenship Now!
CUNY Citizenship Now! provides free, high quality, and confidential immigration law services to help individuals and families on their path to U.S. citizenship. The organization has 40 locations across New York City. Its attorneys and paralegals offer one-on-one consultations to assess participants’ eligibility for legal benefits and assist them in applying when qualified.
The website lists the immigration issues handled by by CUNY Citizenship Now! They include many routine and complex issues apart from employment-related cases such as visas (immigrant or nonimmigrant, including H1B and the like) or employment related adjustment of status, change of status, or extension of status.
At an Immigration Rights Workshop in Queens, NYC Legal Aid attorneys mentioned this organization as an excellent resource for free legal help in an environment where many pro bono legal organizations suddenly have a big backlog.
CUNY Citizenship Now! Is actively soliciting volunteers.
Languages: English, Spanish